Method and Device for Providing Video of IPTV Service

ABSTRACT

Provided are a method and device for providing a video of an Internet Protocol TV or Interactive Personal TV (IPTV) service. The method includes: detecting whether an IPTV service system is accessible for a terminal or not; and when the IPTV system is detected to be inaccessible for the terminal, providing a video for the terminal through a Content Delivery Network (CDN) subsystem. By the technical solution, the technical problems that the user cannot enjoy services such as the video service in case of upgrading, server failure or network failure in the related technology are solved, and live video service can still be provided for the user even though the service of the IPTV service system is inaccessible due to upgrading, server failure or network failure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 14/769,347,filed Aug. 20, 2015, which is the National Stage of InternationalApplication No. PCT/CN2013/083643, filed Sep. 17, 2013, which claims thebenefit of Chinese Patent Application No. 201310057685.9, filed Feb. 22,2013.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of network communication,and in particular to a method and a device for providing a video of anInternet Protocol TV or Interactive Personal TV (IPTV) service.

BACKGROUND

At present, IPTV is commercially applied to the global market in a largescale. A Set Top Box (STB) is a generic term for client devices (alsoreferred to as terminals) which provide content services for users. TheSTB may be embodied as various types of devices or terminals, includingtraditional devices connected with display devices, such as PersonalComputer (PC) or an STB, or user devices installed with multimediaservice programs, such as smart phone or Pad. That is, the STB may referto any type of terminal or device which provides users with multimediaservices (sometimes referred to as content service). Content, in thiscontext, could mean any or all of video, audio, Internet web pages,interactive video games, or other possibilities. When services of anIPTV service system become inaccessible due to the upgrading, serverfailure or network failure, a Set Top Box (STB, or user device orterminal) cannot provide normal TV service for a user. Since the IPTVservice is a telecommunication level service, if the services of theIPTV service system become inaccessible, a large scale of users may begreatly influenced. Moreover, a TV service, as the most importantrecreational activity for ordinary family life particularly in holidays,may be more greatly influenced.

For the above problem in a related technology, there is yet no effectivesolution.

SUMMARY

For the technical problems that a user cannot enjoy services such alas avideo service if the services of an IPTV service system are inaccessiblein the related technology, the embodiments of the present disclosureprovide a method and device for providing a video of an IPTV service, soas to at least solve the problems.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method forproviding a video of an IPTV service is provided, which includes:detecting whether an IPTV service system is accessible for a terminal ornot; and when the IPTV system is detected to be inaccessible for theterminal, providing a video for the terminal through a Content DeliveryNetwork (CDN) subsystem.

In an example embodiment, before providing the video for the terminalthrough the CDN subsystem, the method includes at least one of:determining that a time difference between a current time point and alast legal login time point of the terminal is smaller than a firstthreshold value; and determining that a frequency of providing a videofor the terminal through the CDN subsystem is smaller than a secondthreshold value.

In an example embodiment, the method further includes: when the timedifference is determined to be smaller than the first threshold value orthe frequency is determined to be smaller than the second thresholdvalue, notifying, through the terminal, a user to select a subsequentflow, wherein the subsequent flow includes: providing the video for theterminal through the CDN subsystem, or logging into the IPTV servicesystem again through the terminal.

In an example embodiment, after providing the video for the terminalthrough the CDN subsystem, the method further includes: acquiring atotal length of time for which the CDN subsystem has provided a videofor the terminal at present; and when the total length of time is longerthan a specified length of time, notifying, through the terminal, theuser to log back into the IPTV service system.

In an example embodiment, after providing the video for the terminalthrough the CDN subsystem, the method further includes: periodicallyprompting the user to log back into the IPTV service system through theterminal.

In an example embodiment, the method further includes: after theterminal normally logs into the IPTV service system, storing a logintime point at which the terminal normally logs into the IPTV servicesystem and a channel playing address currently delivered from the IPTVservice system.

In an example embodiment, the terminal may be any terminal for providingcontent services. The terminal may be embodied as a mobile terminal,such as a smart phone or a pad, and may also be embodied as a fixedterminal, such as a PC or an STB.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a device forproviding a video of an IPTV service is provided, which includes: adetection component, configured to detect whether an IPTV service systemis accessible for a terminal or not; and a video provision component,configured to, when the IPTV system is detected to be inaccessible forthe terminal, provide a video for the terminal through a CDN subsystem.

In an example embodiment, the device includes: a determinationcomponent, configured to determine that a time difference between acurrent time point and a last legal login time point of the terminal issmaller than a first threshold value; and/or determine that a frequencyof providing a video for the terminal through the CDN subsystem issmaller than a second threshold value.

In an example embodiment, the device further includes: a firstnotification component, configured to, when the time difference isdetermined to be smaller than the first threshold value or the frequencyis determined to be smaller than the second threshold value, notify,through the terminal, a user to select a subsequent flow, wherein thesubsequent flow includes: providing the video for the terminal throughthe CDN subsystem, or logging into the IPTV service system again throughthe terminal.

In an example embodiment, the device further includes: an acquisitioncomponent, configured to acquire a total length of time for which theCDN subsystem has provided a video for the terminal at present; and asecond notification component, configured to, when the total length oftime is longer than a specified length of time, notify the user to logback into the IPTV service system through the terminal.

In an example embodiment, the terminal may be any terminal for providingcontent services. The terminal may be embodied as a mobile terminal,such as a smart phone or a pad, and may also be embodied as a fixedterminal, such as a PC or an STB.

By virtue of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a video servicecan be provided for the user through the terminal by virtue of the CDNsubsystem when the IPTV service system cannot be accessed normally. Thetechnical problems that the user cannot enjoy services such as the videoservice in case of upgrading, server failure or network failure in therelated technology are solved, and live video service can still beprovided for the user even though the service of the IPTV service systemis inaccessible due to upgrading, server failure or network failure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings described here are adopted to provide further understandingof the present disclosure, and form a part of the present disclosure.Schematic embodiments of the present disclosure and description thereofare adopted to explain the present disclosure and not intended to formimproper limits to the present disclosure. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a method for providing a video of an IPTVservice according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a structure diagram of a device for providing a video of anIPTV service according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is another structure diagram of a device for providing a video ofan IPTV service according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of accessing a local emergency service duringlogin authentication of a user according to embodiment 2 of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 5 is a flowchart after accessing the local emergency serviceaccording to embodiment 2 of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure is described below with reference to the drawingsand embodiments in detail. It is important to note that the embodimentsin the present disclosure and characteristics in the embodiments can becombined under the condition of no conflicts.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a method for providing a video of an IPTVservice according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 1, the method includes:

Step S102: it is detected whether an IPTV service system is accessiblefor a terminal or not; and

Step S104: when the IPTV system is detected to be inaccessible for theterminal, a video is provided for the terminal through a CDN subsystem.

By the processing steps, video service can still be provided through theCDN subsystem when the IPTV service system is detected to beinaccessible, so that the technical problems that a user cannot enjoyservices such as a video service in case of upgrading, server failure ornetwork failure can be solved, and user experiences are improved.

In the embodiment, before providing the video for the terminal throughthe CDN subsystem, the method may further include at least oneprocessing of: (1) determining that a time difference between a currenttime point and a last legal login time point of the terminal is smallerthan a first threshold value; and (2) determining that a frequency ofproviding a video for the terminal through the CDN subsystem is smallerthan a second threshold value. In such a manner, the time period andfrequency that the user can enjoy the video service can be limited, andthe user is prevented from unlimitedly using such an emergency measure.During specific implementation, the processing (1) may be implemented ina manner as follows:

a local service component is provided in the terminal, and a legalservice time period of the local service component can be configured, sothat basic channel service for the user can be ensured when the IPTVservice system cannot provide service.

In the embodiment, when the time difference is determined to be smallerthan the first threshold value or the frequency is determined to besmaller than the second threshold value, the user is notified, throughthe terminal, to select a subsequent flow, wherein the subsequent flowincludes: providing the video for the terminal through the CDNsubsystem, or logging into the IPTV service system again through theterminal. The step may specifically be implemented in a form as follows:

after the terminal fails to log in the service system (e.g., a main IPTVservice system and a standby IPTV service system), the last normal logintime point of the user is checked, the user is prompted whether toaccess the local emergency service or try to log into the service systemagain if the last normal login time point is within a configured legaltime period, otherwise the user is directly prompted whether to accessthe local emergency service. If the last normal login time point iswithin the configured legal time period and the user selects to accessthe local emergency service, the local emergency service is started,otherwise the user is prompted to try to log into the service systemagain. It is important to note that the local emergency service hereinincludes, but not limited to, providing the video for the terminalthrough the CDN subsystem.

After the video is provided for the terminal through the CDN subsystem,a total length of time for which the CDN subsystem has provided a videofor the terminal at present may further be acquired; and when the totallength of time is longer than a specified length of time, the user isnotified to log back into the IPTV service system through the terminal.In the embodiment, after the video is provided for the terminal throughthe CDN subsystem, the user may further be periodically prompted to logback into the IPTV service system through the terminal. During specificimplementation, the processing procedure above may be implemented in aform as follows: after the user selects to access the local emergencyservice, playing channels are switched through channel switching keysand/or number keys; in a service process of the local emergency service,whether service time period for the user exceeds a configured legal timeperiod or not is periodically checked, and if the service time periodexceeds the configured legal time period, the user is prompted toperform login again. In addition, in a channel playing process of theuser, the user is periodically prompted, on an interface, to performlogin again through a specified key.

In the embodiment, after the terminal normally logs into the IPTVservice system, it is necessary to store a login time point at which theterminal normally logs into the IPTV service system and a channelplaying address currently delivered from the IPTV service system. Insuch a manner, some applications may be executed according to the logintime point, for example, during a next login, a time period between thestored login time point and a time point for the next login may becalculated according to the stored login time point, and a live videoservice may be provided for the user according to the channel playingaddress. The processing procedure may be implemented in a form asfollows: after the user normally logs into the system, the terminalrecords the local successful login time point of the user in a localmemory, and records the channel playing address delivered from theservice system.

In the above example embodiments, the terminal may be any terminal forproviding content services. The terminal may be embodied as a mobileterminal, such as a smart phone or a pad, and may also be embodied as afixed terminal, such as a PC or an STB.

The embodiment further provides a device for providing a video of anIPTV service. The device is configured to implement the above-mentionedembodiments and example implementation modes, what has been describedwill not be repeated here, and components involved in the device aredescribed below. For example, a term “component”, used below, is acombination of software and/or hardware capable of realizing presetfunctions. The device described in the following embodiment ispreferably implemented by software, but implementation with hardware orthe combination of software and hardware is also possible andconceivable. FIG. 2 is a structure diagram of a device for providing avideo of an IPTV service system according to embodiment 1 of the presentdisclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the device includes:

a detection component 20, coupled with a video provision component 22and configured to detect whether an IPTV service system is accessiblefor a terminal or not; and

a video provision component 22, configured to, when the IPTV system isdetected to be inaccessible for the terminal, provide a video for theterminal through a CDN subsystem.

By functions realized by each component, video service can still beprovided for a user through the CDN subsystem when the IPTV servicesystem is detected to be inaccessible (including a case where the IPTVservice system cannot be accessed normally).

In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the device may further include: adetermination component 24, coupled with the video provision component22 or a first notification component 26 and configured to determine thata time difference between a current time point and a last legal logintime point of the terminal is smaller than a first threshold value;and/or determine that a frequency of providing a video for the terminalthrough the CDN subsystem is smaller than a second threshold value.

It is important to note that, in an example embodiment, when thedetermination component 24 is coupled with the first notificationcomponent 26, it is needed to notify, through the first notificationcomponent 26, the user to select a subsequent flow first and then thevideo provision component 22 provides a video service.

The first notification component 26 is coupled with the video provisioncomponent 22, and is configured to, when the time difference isdetermined to be smaller than the first threshold value or the frequencyis determined to be smaller than the second threshold value, notify,through the terminal, the user to select the subsequent flow, whereinthe subsequent flow includes: providing the video for the terminalthrough the CDN subsystem, or logging into the IPTV service system againthrough the terminal.

In the embodiment, the device may further include: an acquisitioncomponent 28, coupled with a second notification component 30 andconfigured to acquire a total length of time for which the CDN subsystemhas provided a video for the terminal at present; and the secondnotification component 30, configured to, when the total length of timeis longer than a specified length of time, notify the user to log backinto the IPTV service system through the terminal.

In the above example embodiments, the terminal may be any terminal forproviding content services. The terminal may be embodied as a mobileterminal, such as a smart phone or a pad, and may also be embodied as afixed terminal, such as a PC or an STB.

In order to facilitate better understanding of the embodiments, detaileddescription is given below with reference to embodiment 2 and therelated drawings.

Embodiment 2

A main design idea of this embodiment is that a live video provided by amature CDN subsystem which is a video provision subsystem of an IPTVservice system, particularly a live video provided in a multicast manneror through a live dedicated network, is stable all the time, and a liveservice may still be provided for a user although the service of theIPTV service system is inaccessible due to upgrading, server failure ornetwork failure. The terminal in the present embodiment may be anyterminal for providing content services. The terminal may be embodied asa mobile terminal, such as a smart phone or a pad, and may also beembodied as a fixed terminal, such as a PC or an STB.

The technical solution of the embodiment is implemented as follows.

First of all, a local emergency service component is provided in aterminal version. The local emergency service component is configured toprovide a channel playing service when the service of the IPTV servicesystem is inaccessible, and is configured to set check configurationsfor the use of the local emergency service (a user is prevented frommodifying an access address of the IPTV service system through a settingpage after normal login), wherein the check configurations may include aconfiguration about time period within which the local emergency serviceis accessible after the last legal login, or a configuration aboutfrequency (number of times) of login for the local emergency servicewhen the service of the IPTV service system is inaccessible. Every timewhen the terminal normally logs into the IPTV service system, theterminal stores successful login time point of the user and a channelplaying address delivered in the system. After the terminal fails to loginto the service system (e.g., a main IPTV service system and a standbyIPTV service system), the last normal login time point of the user orthe frequency of using the local emergency service after the lastsuccessful login is checked, the user is prompted whether to access thelocal emergency service or try to log into the service system again ifthe checking is passed, otherwise the user is directly prompted whetherto access the local emergency service. If the checking is passed and theuser selects to access the local emergency service, the local emergencyservice component is started, otherwise the user tries to log into theservice system again. As shown in FIG. 4, the processing flow mayspecifically be implemented by the following processing steps:

Step S402: the terminal is started for login;

Step S404: it is judged whether the main IPTV service system can benormally accessed or not, turn to Step S406 if the main IPTV servicesystem can be normally accessed or not, otherwise turn to Step S408;

Step S406: the terminal accesses the service of the main IPTV servicesystem;

Step S408: it is judged whether a standby IPTV service system isprovided or not, turn to Step S410 if the standby IPTV service system isprovided, otherwise turn to Step S414;

Step S410: it is judged whether the standby IPTV service system can beaccessed normally, turn to Step S412 if the standby IPTV service systemcan be accessed normally, otherwise turn to step S414;

Step S412: the terminal accesses the service of the standby IPTV servicesystem;

Step S414: it is checked whether frequency of accessing the localemergency service or the time different from the last normal login timepoint of the user to the current time point exceeds a limit or not, turnto Step S416 if frequency of accessing the local emergency service orthe time different from the last normal login time point of the user tothe current time point exceeds a limit, otherwise turn to Step S418;

Step S416: the user is prompted whether to try to log into the servicesystem again;

Step S418: the user is prompted whether to log into the service systemagain or access the local emergency service;

Step S420: it is judged whether the user selects to access the localemergency service or not, turn to Step S424 if the user selects toaccess the local emergency service or not, otherwise turn to Step S422;

Step S422: log into the service system again; and

Step S424: the terminal accesses the local emergency service.

After the user selects to access the local emergency service, playingchannels may be switched through channel switching keys and/or numberkeys. In the service process of the local emergency service, whetherservice time period for the user exceeds a configured legal time periodor not is periodically checked, and if the service time period exceedsthe configured legal time period, the user is prompted to log back intothe service system. In addition, in a channel playing process of theuser, the user is periodically prompted, on an interface, to log backinto the service system through a specified key. As shown in FIG. 5, thespecific flow includes:

Step S502: the user accesses the local emergency service;

Step S504: 1 is added to the frequency of accessing the local emergencyservice;

Step S506: the operation for switching the playing channels is respondedaccording to locally stored channel playing addresses and channelnumbers;

Step S508: a timer is started to periodically check whether the legalservice time period is exceeded or not; and

Step S510: a timer is started to periodically prompt the user to logback into the IPTV service system through the specified key.

In another embodiment, software is further provided, which is configuredto execute the technical solution described in the abovementionedembodiments and example implementation modes.

In another embodiment, a storage medium is further provided, in whichthe abovementioned software is stored, the storage medium including, butnot limited to: a compact disc, floppy disk, a hard disk, an erasablememory and the like.

Obviously, those skilled in the art should know that each component orstep of the present disclosure may be implemented by a universalcomputing device, and the components or steps may be concentrated on asingle computing device or distributed on a network formed by multiplecomputing devices, and may optionally be implemented by programmablecodes executable for the computing devices, so that the components orsteps may be stored in a storage device for execution with the computingdevices, moreover, the shown or described steps may be executed in asequence different from the sequence here under some conditions, or thecomponents or steps may form each integrated circuit component, ormultiple components or steps therein may form a single integratedcircuit component for implementation. As a consequence, the presentdisclosure is not limited to any specific hardware and softwarecombination.

The above is only the example embodiment of the present disclosure andnot intended to limit the present disclosure, and for those skilled inthe art, the present disclosure may have various modifications andvariations. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements andthe like within the principle of the present disclosure shall fallwithin the scope of protection defined by the claims of the presentdisclosure.

INDUSTRIAL PRACTICABILITY

The technical solutions provided by the present disclosure may beapplied to a video provision process of an IPTV service. A video serviceis provided for the user through the terminal by virtue of the CDNsubsystem when the IPTV service system cannot be accessed normally, sothat the technical problems that the user cannot enjoy services such asthe video service in case of upgrading, server failure or networkfailure in the related technology are solved, and live video service canstill be provided for the user even though the service of the IPTVservice system is inaccessible due to upgrading, server failure ornetwork failure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for providing a video of an InternetProtocol TV or Interactive Personal TV (IPTV) service, comprising:detecting whether an IPTV service system is accessible for a terminal ornot; and when the IPTV system is detected to be inaccessible for theterminal, providing a video for the terminal through a Content DeliveryNetwork (CDN) subsystem; wherein after providing the video for theterminal through the CDN subsystem, the method further comprises:acquiring a total length of time for which the CDN subsystem hasprovided a video for the terminal at present; and when the total lengthof time is longer than a specified length of time, notifying, throughthe terminal, the user to log back into the IPTV service system.
 2. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein before providing the video for theterminal through the CDN subsystem, the method comprises at least oneof: determining that a time difference between a current time point anda last legal login time point of the terminal is smaller than a firstthreshold value; and determining that a frequency of providing a videofor the terminal through the CDN subsystem is smaller than a secondthreshold value.
 3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising:when the time difference is determined to be smaller than the firstthreshold value or the frequency is determined to be smaller than thesecond threshold value, notifying, through the terminal, a user toselect a subsequent flow, wherein the subsequent flow comprises:providing the video for the terminal through the CDN subsystem, orlogging into the IPTV service system again through the terminal.
 4. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein after providing the video for theterminal through the CDN subsystem, the method further comprises:periodically prompting the user to log back into the IPTV service systemthrough the terminal.
 5. The method according to claim 2, wherein afterproviding the video for the terminal through the CDN subsystem, themethod further comprises: periodically prompting the user to log backinto the IPTV service system through the terminal.
 6. The methodaccording to claim 3, wherein after providing the video for the terminalthrough the CDN subsystem, the method further comprises: periodicallyprompting the user to log back into the IPTV service system through theterminal.
 7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: afterthe terminal normally logs into the IPTV service system, storing a logintime point at which the terminal normally logs into the IPTV servicesystem and a channel playing address currently delivered from the IPTVservice system.
 8. The method according to claim 2, further comprising:after the terminal normally logs into the IPTV service system, storing alogin time point at which the terminal normally logs into the IPTVservice system and a channel playing address currently delivered fromthe IPTV service system.
 9. The method according to claim 3, furthercomprising: after the terminal normally logs into the IPTV servicesystem, storing a login time point at which the terminal normally logsinto the IPTV service system and a channel playing address currentlydelivered from the IPTV service system.
 10. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the terminal comprises a mobile terminal or a fixedterminal, the mobile terminal comprises at least one of a smart phone ora Pad, and the fixed terminal comprises at least one of a Set Top Box(STB) or a Personal Computer (PC).
 11. A device for providing a video ofan Internet Protocol TV or Interactive Personal TV (IPTV) service,comprising: a detection component, configured to detect whether an IPTVservice system is accessible for a terminal or not; and a videoprovision component, configured to, when the IPTV system is detected tobe inaccessible for the terminal, provide a video for the terminalthrough a Content Delivery Network (CDN) subsystem; further comprising:an acquisition component, configured to acquire a total length of timefor which the CDN subsystem has provided a video for the terminal atpresent; and a second notification component, configured to, when thetotal length of time is longer than a specified length of time, notifythe user to log back into the IPTV service system through the terminal.12. The device according to claim 11, comprising: a determinationcomponent, configured to determine that a time difference between acurrent time point and a last legal login time point of the terminal issmaller than a first threshold value; and/or determine that a frequencyof providing a video for the terminal through the CDN subsystem issmaller than a second threshold value.
 13. The device according to claim12, further comprising: a first notification component, configured to,when the time difference is determined to be smaller than the firstthreshold value or the frequency is determined to be smaller than thesecond threshold value, notify, through the terminal, a user to select asubsequent flow, wherein the subsequent flow comprises: providing thevideo for the terminal through the CDN subsystem, or logging into theIPTV service system again through the terminal.
 14. The device accordingto claim 11, wherein the device is further configured to, after thevideo provision component provides the video for the terminal throughthe CDN subsystem, periodically prompt the user to log back into theIPTV service system through the terminal.
 15. The device according toclaim 12, wherein the device is further configured to, after the videoprovision component provides the video for the terminal through the CDNsubsystem, periodically prompt the user to log back into the IPTVservice system through the terminal.
 16. The device according to claim13, wherein the device is further configured to, after the videoprovision component provides the video for the terminal through the CDNsubsystem, periodically prompt the user to log back into the IPTVservice system through the terminal.
 17. The device according to claim11, wherein the device is further configured to, after the videoprovision component provides the video for the terminal through the CDNsubsystem, periodically prompt the user to log back into the IPTVservice system through the terminal.
 18. The device according to claim12, wherein the device is further configured to, after the videoprovision component provides the video for the terminal through the CDNsubsystem, periodically prompt the user to log back into the IPTVservice system through the terminal.
 19. The device according to claim13, wherein the device is further configured to, after the videoprovision component provides the video for the terminal through the CDNsubsystem, periodically prompt the user to log back into the IPTVservice system through the terminal.
 20. The device according to claim11, wherein the terminal comprises a mobile terminal or a fixedterminal, the mobile terminal comprises at least one of a smart phone ora Pad, and the fixed terminal comprises at least one of a Set Top Box(STB) or a Personal Computer (PC).